Can You Identify These Farm Animals?

By: Kennita
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

The history of farming goes back to the hunter-gatherer period, as people became organized and domesticated plants and animals. The evidence for full-blown agriculture dates back about 11,000 years. Many archaeologists agree that farming in the Fertile Crescent first developed in Jordan and Israel. Today, there are over 570 million farms across the world that feed the planet. More than 90% of these farms are run by an individual or family and rely on family labor. 

When you take this quiz, think about farms globally, as livestock can range from herding mountain goats to raising ostriches. And the animals you'll find around the farm aren't necessarily found only in a barn. For instance, you'll find bees that pollinate crops or birds that eat the insects that circle the herd. Farms are a hotbed of activity, think about plowing fields, mending fences ... even the ants provide a helping hand by aerating the soil and controlling the pest population 

This quiz will entertain you with tidbits of farm facts. You may be surprised to learn that chickens are the most common, widespread domesticated fowl. You may have thought that turkeys at Thanksgiving would take that title. Learn more while you identify all the farm animals from the photos. Start the quiz now. 

Baby pigs are known as piglets, and these even-toed animals include the domestic pig and the wild boar. These mammals have one of the largest populations in the world. Pigs are omnivores and can carry parasites and diseases that can spread to humans.

Castration of the male ox make them easier to control; these animals are typically used for pulling heavy equipment, plowing, and transportation. Oxen are usually paired together to perform their duties, and these animals are also used for their meat.

This is an herbivorous insect that can be dated back to early Triassic times, over 250 million years ago. The powerful back legs of the grasshopper allow it to leap far distances. In some countries, grasshoppers are a delicacy and served on skewers or with chili sauce.

This is a nocturnal creature that is a widely-found species of owl; these animals's food source is small land-dwelling mammals. This species of owl finds a mate for life unless one of them gets killed, then a new bond is formed with another owl.

This is a songbird that has a migratory route. Robins are extremely active during the day and survive on a diet of beetles, grub, worms, caterpillars, berries, and fruits. This songbird usually sings when a storm is approaching and also once a storm has passed.

These domesticated mammals are quick to revert to their wild ways, the behavior of goats can be described as frisky and lively. These animals are used for milk, meat, hair and land clearing. They have a life expectancy of 15 to 18 years and are well known for their rebellious behavior and show of dominance.

These birds are endemic to Africa and survive on a diet of seeds and insects. The guinea fowl is used for its meat by humans. The bird has a leaner meat than chicken, however, the texture is drier and gamey in flavor.

These insects are great jumpers because of their enlarged thighs, and they can be found worldwide, thriving in tropical regions. Crickets are defenseless, and because of this, they are enjoyed by larger mammals. The male crickets enjoy chirping loudly to attract females and to chase away other males.

Young chickens are called chicks and emerge from eggs laid by female chickens. These baby birds are usually yellowish, and there are also variations of brown, black and white. Chicks are heavily dependent on their mothers for safety, and they rely on a diet of water and food.

Rabbits survive on a diet of leafy weeds, forbs, and grass. Male rabbits are called bucks; females are called does. Humans use rabbits for food by consuming their meat and also use them for clothing; rabbit pelts are used for scarves, hats, and accessories.

A young duck is called a duckling, and these baby ducks spend 10 hours in their nest before they venture into the water with their mothers. Ducklings do not have waterproof down which is an oil gland that keeps them waterproof. Ducklings survive on a diet of small insects, tadpoles, and grass.

Quail is the term used for several midsized species of fowl. They are closely related to pheasants. Originally from North America, quails can now be found in Europe, Australia, and South America. There are many variations of quail, some of which include Mountain quail, Gambel quail, Scaled quail and Mearn's quail, to name a few.

These mammals are typically kept as livestock and are used by humans as food, for scientific research, and for their wool. These herbivores rely on a diet of grass to survive. Sheep are flock animals, preferring to stay close together, due to their flock behavior and to ease panic. They are thought to be unintelligent.

The skin of the water buffalo is typically black, but it may also be slate-colored. This animal has horns that grow downward and backward. During floods, water buffalo will keep their heads above water.

A ram is a male sheep with big horns. These animals dwell in the mountains and settle differences by ramming their heads into one another. They have long curved horns, split hooves and are typically 5 to 6 feet tall from head to tail.

This is a class of domesticated pig that is distinguished by their small ears, potbelly, short snout, legs, tail, and neck. Miniature pigs can grow to 70 pounds. These animals have been used for medical research, and are also kept as pets.

These beautifully-winged animals are insects that undergo four stages of life from larvae to caterpillars to pupating in a chrysalis, then undergoing metamorphosis and turning into an adult butterfly.

The turkey is a big bird that humans consume. Holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving see a massive increase in turkey consumption. These large birds survive on a diet of acorns, seed, insects, and berries. Domesticated turkeys are usually too heavy for flight, whereas wild turkeys can fly.

This is an odd-toed mammal which was domesticated by humans around 4000 BC. Horses are used for racing, sports, work, transportation, hauling, warfare and in some cultures, as meat. Horsehide leather is used for gloves, jackets, and boots. This animal can also be used for its milk.

This long-haired domesticated animal is found in the Himalayan region of India, in Mongolia and Russia. These heavy animals have a very bulky frame and long fur hanging down below their bellies. They animals have small ears, sturdy legs, rounded cloven hooves and vary in color, usually dark brown, cream and black.

Spiders are eight-legged arthropods with fangs, they are found worldwide except for Antarctica. The majority of spiders are predators that prey on insects, as well as other spiders. Spiders use many methods to capture prey, including trapping with sticky bolas and weaving sticky webs.

This is a small rodent endemic to central Chile. It has a small body with a weight of 170 to 400 g. The Degu typically has yellow-brown fur with a creamy yellow underbelly. These animals are highly social and dig burrows as a team, making very elaborate tunnels. They are strict herbivores and have a remarkable intolerance to dietary sugar.

Ants are insects that have colonized every land mass worldwide; ants form colonies comprising of wingless females, fertile males, and one or more female queens. Ants have six legs, a head with antennas and only reproductive ants have wings. Ants are beneficial to humans in that they provide aeration of the soil and can help with pest population control.

Also known as caribou, this species is native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Siberia, and North America. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers and males use theirs to compete against other reindeer during mating season. The reindeer's diet includes bird eggs, fish, grass, and leaves of willows.

This is the most common, widespread, domesticated fowl and humans keep it as a source of food and sometimes as a pet. Humans consume this bird's meat and eggs.

Poult or poultry are birds that are domesticated and kept for purposes of egg production, meat harvesting and for their feathers. These domesticated birds include turkeys, pigeons, ducks, ostrich, geese, chickens, and ducks. Poult are usually vaccinated against diseases while they are still in their eggs.

A puppy is a young dog. They may undergo a change of color in their coat when going from a puppy to an adult dog. Puppies spend the majority of their time sleeping and breastfeeding.

A pony is a small horse that comes in many different breeds. In comparison to other horses, ponies have thicker manes, coats, and tails. These animals have short legs, heavier bones and broader foreheads than horses.

These are large flightless birds native to Africa. However, ostriches are farmed around the world and used for their feathers, skin and meat. Ostriches weigh between 63 to 145 kilograms and survive on a diet of seeds, shrubs, grass, flowers and fruit.

A juvenile cat is called a kitten. They rely on their mothers for breast milk and guidance. These furry animals are very playful and don't open their eyes until they are seven to ten days old. Kittens can begin eating solid food after three to four weeks of being born as their adult teeth begin to form.

Also known as an ass, these animals are considered working animals, and were first domesticated about 3000 BC. Donkeys have the reputation of being stubborn animals and are often whipped by humans to perform tasks. When donkeys interbreed with horses, they produce a hybrid called a mule.

These animals can reach up to seven feet in height and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. The camel's build makes it perfect for desert dwelling. They have three rows of eyelashes to prevent sand from getting into their eyes. Camels can also survive without water for long periods of time. Contrary to popular belief, the camel's hump does not store water; it is a fat reserve that the camel can tap into when other sources of food are unavailable.

These birds are native to Asia; the males are called peafowls, and the females are peahens. Peacocks enjoy a diet of both plants and animals and are one of the largest flying birds reaching up to 5 feet in height. Female peacocks can lay three to five eggs and when the baby peacocks are born, they can walk, drink and eat without their mother's help.

Wasps have the ability to sting repeatedly, unlike bees, but only female wasps have stingers. Male wasps are called drones, and their mission is to mate with a queen, after which the drone dies. The pheromones found in a wasp's sting can cause them to become more aggressive, and it is wise to not swat the insect near its nest or near other wasps.

Ducks are omnivores that feed on aquatic plants, fish, worms and insects. A male duck is called a drake, a female is a hen, and juvenile ducks are ducklings. The waxy coating on a duck's feathers makes them waterproof.

This is a close relative to the domesticated pig. Boars can survive in areas of tropical rainforest and grasslands. The boar is an omnivore, mainly consuming lizards, worms, mice, eggs, fruits, seeds, and berries. Boars have tusks that the males utilize for fighting over females during mating season.

Bunnies or baby rabbits are herbivores that can live up to eight years. Female rabbits produce litters of 4 to 12 babies. A female is called a doe, a male is a buck and a baby is a kit. Because rabbits have a high cellulose diet, their teeth never stop growing.

Baby deer are known as fawns. These adorable animals have two rows of white spots along their spines starting from the neck and ending on the base of the tail. Fawns have the ability to walk within hours of being born but typically rest. The milk of the deer has a high-fat content and fawns can consume eight ounces per feeding.

Llamas, relatives of the camel, can grow to six feet tall and weigh between 280 and 450 pounds, making them gigantic animals. Llamas are covered with wool, have large nostrils and great eyesight.

Only a queen bee can lay eggs; she can lay up to 1,500 eggs in a day. Worker bees are the ones who gather nectar, collect water and propolis. Most bees have two stomachs, one for eating and the other for storage of nectar or water to bring back to the hive.

These birds have stout bodies, slender bills and short necks and survive on a diet of seeds, fruits, and plants. Doves and pigeons are the most common birds found in the world. Doves are arguably the smaller of the species, and both birds come in a range of lengths from 15 to 75 centimeters.

A baby goat is called a kid and can stand and walk minutes after being born. Each kid has its very own call and scent which allows its mother to recognize it. Most commonly, baby goats arrive as twins or triplets, and these agile babies can jump off stumps or bales at just two weeks old.

A female horse that is more than four years old is called a mare; these horses are considered to be easier to handle than their stallion counterparts. Mares carry their babies for 11 months from conception to birth. Mares are used for equestrian sports, like racing and Polo.

Geese eat seeds, grass, nuts, berries, and plants and can thrive almost anywhere. When in flight, geese stay in a V formation, and if one gets injured, others will stay with it until it gets better or dies. Male geese will protect the nest while the females sit on the eggs. Humans use geese like chickens and raise them for their meat and eggs or keep them as pets.

Baby sheep are called lambs. Female sheep can give birth to one to three lambs at a time. These juveniles are between five and eight pounds at birth. Lambs eat hay and grass and drink milk and water.

Young cows are referred to as calfs; these juveniles weigh about 90 pounds and consume four quarts of milk a day. Calfs can stand and walk minutes after birth. A cow would normally give birth to one calf; the chance of twins is 10 percent.

Adult male chickens are called roosters. These fowls are larger than hens and more brightly colored as well. The comb of the rooster is also larger in comparison to that of the hen. Roosters start crowing before they are four months old.

These animals resemble small llamas but belong to the Camelidae family. Alpacas are bred by humans for their fiber, which is used for making woven and knitted items like socks, sweaters, scarves, and blankets.

There are over 300 species of pigeon in the world, and the size of these birds depends on their species. Pigeons range from dull to brightly colored. However, the most common type of plumage is grayish, black and white. These birds are herbivores and survive on a diet of seeds, fruits, and plants.

This animal is a cross between a female horse and a male donkey. It can reach heights of 47 to 59 inches and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Mules can live between 30 to 50 years and survive on a diet of grass, weeds, and vegetables. A mule can carry up to 20 percent of its body weight and exhibits features of both the donkey and the horse, having long ears and short manes like a donkey and the stocky body and hairy tail of a horse.

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